Oberlin vs. Kenyon vs. Denison vs. Miami

Comparable Facts

Compare Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH with Kenyon College in Gambier, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oberlin College is larger than Kenyon based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,249 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oberlin College is located in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting); Kenyon College is in Gambier, OH (Distant Rural setting).
• Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kenyon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oberlin College 9:1; Kenyon College 9:1.

Oberlin vs. Kenyon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oberlin or Kenyon? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kenyon College than Oberlin ($46,859 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kenyon College are 19.8% lower than at Oberlin College ($15,640 vs. $19,510).
• Kenyon College is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $4,154 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Kenyon than at Oberlin College (about $4,154 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Kenyon College (99% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kenyon College students is 13.8% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($40,731 vs. $35,780).

Oberlin vs. Kenyon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oberlin or Kenyon? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Kenyon and Oberlin.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 10 points higher than at Kenyon (1430).
• Incoming Oberlin students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at Kenyon (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Oberlin College 1360/1520; Kenyon College 1358/1503.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Oberlin College 31/34; Kenyon College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oberlin - Test optional; Kenyon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027; Kenyon Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Kenyon students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Kenyon (31%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 18.3% at Kenyon.

Oberlin vs. Kenyon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oberlin and Kenyon? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Kenyon College's (87%).
• Graduates from Kenyon College earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kenyon College graduates have a $7,579 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Kenyon graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($196 vs. $274).
• More Kenyon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.